Central Inner Mongolia

The Hohhot–Baotou–Ordos–Ulanqab urban cluster combines grasslands, deserts, the Yellow River and temple culture.

The Central Inner Mongolia region is the Hohhot–Baotou–Ordos–Ulanqab urban cluster in the middle of Inner Mongolia. It covers the entire jurisdictions of four prefecture-level cities (Hohhot, Baotou, Ordos and Ulanqab) and is the most accessible tourist area in Inner Mongolia and the closest to Beijing and Tianjin. Hohhot is the capital of the autonomous region; the Dazhao Temple, Xilitu Zhao, Wuta Temple and the Inner Mongolia Museum together showcase Mongolian and Tibetan Buddhist culture, and the nearby Xilamuren Grassland is good for a short horseback-riding experience. Baotou has temples such as Wudang Zhao and Meidai Zhao, as well as Yellow River wetland scenery. In Ordos, Xiangshawan sits on the edge of the Kubuqi Desert, where sand sliding, camel riding and desert off-roading suit all ages; the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan in Ejin Horo Banner is an important Mongolian sacrificial site, and the new town of Kangbashi in the city proper has distinctive architecture. Ulanqab has grasslands such as Huitengxile and Gegentala as well as volcanic landforms, and is cool in summer. Laoniuwan is where the Yellow River enters Shanxi: the Qingshuihe side in Inner Mongolia and the Pianguan side in Shanxi face each other across the river, with the Yellow River canyon and ancient forts and Great Wall sections presenting a majestic sight. A classic route is a four- to six-day loop starting and ending in Hohhot: one day in the capital, one day on the grassland, two days for Ordos' Xiangshawan and the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, and Baotou and Laoniuwan added or dropped according to interest. For transport, Hohhot Baita Airport, Ordos Ejin Horo Airport and Baotou Airport have plenty of flights, the Zhangjiakou–Hohhot high-speed railway links Beijing and Hohhot, and there are bullet trains between Hohhot and Baotou; self-driving is recommended between the grassland, desert and Yellow River sights. Summer sunshine is strong and day-night temperature swings are large, so bring sun protection and warm clothing.

Destinations

Itineraries